Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 January 1981 — Page 8

Pom and Opinion

By Dr. Jerome H Blass

The Social Calendar By JEAN HERSCHAFT

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The Israel Cancer Research Fund, five years in operation, celebrated with an elegant dinner-dance at the Plaza its first under the direction of Betty A. Geffen, of New York City, its chairperson. “Before the development of the organization, there was no group, public or private, exclusively supporting cancer research in Israel," Dr. Daniel G. Miller, president of ICRF, told the 300 guests and supporters. “Our roster of fellowships have gone from five the first year to 20 this year, with a total of 55 thus far.”

stitutions, and cure o. , . ,, have been distributed among many hospitals, universities and research labs throughout Israel. Moreover, bright researchers who might have emigrated from Israel have remained to pursue their careers, while Israeli scientists in the United States have been enabled to return to Israel to carry on their work, Dr. Miller pointed out. Thus the ICRF has played an important role in keeping the scientific professionals in Israel. Another related goal is to use the diverse ethnic and genetic backgrounds at the mixtures of populations in Israel to study the vast differences in the incidence of cancer between these groups. Such a study has commenced. Dr. Miller announced. “The ICRF is composed of two main branches: fundraising and the Board of Scientific Advisors, composed of scientists from the United States, Canada, and Sweden who assist in the selection and encouragement of young researchers in Israel,” Dr. Sidney Silverman, chairman of the Board of Trustees, said in his brief remakrs. 1 The fundraising done by the Young Associates of ICRF, in their 20’s and 30’s via social and cultural events, has provided

member of the board and recently appointed clergyman of Central Synagogue, told me at the gala affair. It could have been a New Years Eve Party, this affair, with the Plaza dance orchestra serenading, the reception and dinner tables laden with culinary delicacies and with fresh floral decorations, the guests in colorful finery. And dozens of rainbow hued balloons suspended in three cachets from the ceiling. Later, at a finale none of the guests will ever forget, the balloons were released, the guests instructed to catch one each...and emerging on the stage 85 deluxe wrapped gifts for the guests with balloons bearing numbers. From Champagne bottles, to perfume sets, to leather wallets and sculpture were the gifts donated to make this ICRF first dinner-dance unforgettable!! Perhaps the one guest reaping more pleasure from this magnificent evening was the guest of honor — Murray B. Rayburn. Dr. Timothy Gee, of Sloan Kettering Memorial (Cancer) Hospital, introduced Rayburn, a 57-year-old philanthropist who in 1972 organized his own company, New Homes of America, Inc., and a series of affiliated corporations. Rayburn, a New York University graduate lawyer, was one of the founders of ICRF. He received the Town- of Hope Sculpture Award, craned uy Menache Kadishman. Rayburn told the guests that some years ago he was told that he had cancer and had nine months to live. Happily the diagnosis was totally wrong. “I did not have cancer. It was then that I determinded to give my efforts to help eradicate cancer,” Rayburn said. His wife and three daughters surrounded him with embraces and love. A “This is Your Life” light approach to Rayburn was flashed on a screen prior to his talk, that amused his many friends that were in attendance. Present from Chase Manhattan Bank: James H. Carey, James T. Beal, officers. Also: Henry L. Bayles, George Blumenthal, Beatrice Brown, S. Donald Friedman, Fred Thomases, Dr. Hans Schindler. Also: Mel Ross, Bab Abrams, Gerald Smith, Ab Robins, Norma Gilmour, Monty Berger, Lou Dubrovsky, Shirley Robins, Sid and Nettie Weinstein, Sheila Zittrer, Sally Katz. Sylvia Inge, Natalie Kostman and Terry Russell. The handsome Journal provided the guests with the cover, a drawing of the Tower of Hope Award, told the Israel Cancer Research Fund story. Perhaps of most interest were the photos and bios and research projects of the scientists awarded the fellowships. One was Dr. Naomi Arid, who was born in Haifa in ‘47, working at the Israel Institute of Biological Research in Ness Ziona, Israel. Dr. Ariel’s project is on detection of colon cancer, one of the three most common tumors among persons living in developed lands. Interestingly, two scientists who received ICRF fellowships Drs. Gold and Freedman at McGill U, in Canada, (Continued On Next Pane)

How The Amish Bury Their Dead

“Because it is old does not mean it is no good; and

because it is new does not mean it is bet-

m ter.” This little I bit of folk wis- ™ dom comes to \ -3B mind so many

times in this era of change

wmt BB where modern Blass is almost always equated with the superior and where what is old has little value unless it happens to be a genuine antique in which case it commands a high price as a

collector’s item.

An interesting article in a recent issue of the American Psychologist, the professional journal of the American Psychological Association, of which I am a member, caught my eye, not only because the subject matter was of interest to both a rabbi and a psychologist, but because it was a perfect illustration of the truth of

the old adage that not everything that is old is necessarily outdated. The article entitled, “The Amish Way of Death,” written by Dr. Kathleen Biyer, a psychologist who specializes in family therapy, calls attention to the calm manner in which the Amish people deal with death and she contrasts their calm serenity with the anxiety that surrounds, death in our modern and enlightened technical society. She attributes the Amish success in facing one of Jife’s most difficult ordeals to their strong family support system and what she calls their uniquely -realistic attitude toward death in general. HERE, IN BRIEF, are some interesting aspects of the Amish way of death as they are described by Dr.

Bryer:

At the time of death, close neighbors take full charge of the funeral arrangements. The body is dressed in white garments which, for a man, consists of white trousers and a white shirt. These are prepared many years before they are used and one Amish woman related to the researcher that each month her aged grandmother carefully washed, starched, and ironed her own funeral clothing so that they would be in readiness for her death. After the body is dressed, it is placed in a plain wooden coffin that is made to specifications handed down through the centuries. The grave is dug by neighbors the previous day and as all stand by and watch silently, the grave is filled in with earth. Following the interment, the family returns to the home where a meal has been prepared by the families in charge of the arrangements. Finally, a high level of support for the bereaved family is maintained for at least one year

following the death. Those who are even superficially familiar with Jewish tradition will recognize immediately that what is called “The Amish Way of Death” is an exact description down to the smallest detail of what we often refer to as the oldfashioned Jewish way of death which has since been distorted by the paganism we call the more enlightened approach. One who is more acquainted with Jewish law can only be astounded by the various aspects of the Amish funeral which correspond exactly point by point to the Orthodox Jewish way. WHAT IS MOST interesting from a psychological point of view is what the researcher has to say about the oldfashioned ways discarded by most Jews but still practiced by the Amish. She states, “The Amish face death with realism and acceptance; it is seen as an exceptional part of ...life. Their customs and rituals of death provide two critical functions. First, they ameliorate the frightening

aspects of death...and second, they summon the support of the extended family and the community to provide resources and nurturance for the bereaved.” As a result, she concludes, despite the fact that others may regard their practices as quaint and outmoded, the Amish “face death confidently" and are much less subject to the anxiety which generally surrounds death in our modem

culture.

Modern is not always necessarily better and old does not necessarily mean obsolete. Here is an interesting psychological confirmation of that fact.

Dr. Jerome H. Blass, the

spiritual leader of the Bergenfield-Dumont Jewish Center, is also a licensed practicing psychologist and psychotherapist. Readers are invited to submit topics which they would like him to deal with in future columns. Readers may address their letters to: Dr. Jerome H. Blass, 97 Blauvelt Avenue.

Bergenfield. N.J. 07621.

Just Between Us

Bottomless Stomach

By HELEN MINTZ I realize going back to college will be an interruption in their vacation curriculum blit enough lllllliall enough! I can’t seem to swing both financialW ly. ^ When my husband and I considered the Mintz high cost of education versus the high cost of maintaihing them at home, we decided it would be cheaper in the long run to send them away. It never entered our minds that they would be home as much as they are. I don’t know what will cost more. The degree or the vacation periods. And if you’re not working to become a doctor, lawyer or Indian chief, what comfort will the degree give you on the unemployment line? I’LL GIVE YOU a for instance as far as feeding them is concerned. On that point, you just can’t win. I come home from the supermarket laden down with bundles and as soon as I unpack I’m greeted with the smart remark, “There’s nothing to eat in this house”. That really gets my dander up and I inevitably snap back with, “If there is nothing to

eat in this house, how come we are the only six-garbage-can family on our block? If I didn’t come home with so many bundles, where would my endless supply of garbage bags be coming from? ” ONCE I GET that off my chest, my maternal guilt feelings start to work overtime. How could a responsible well-meaning mother let a six ft. 175 pound hunk of a son who just ate an hour ago go hungry? So I give in and say, “Sweetie, let me fix you a nice ice cube. That should tide you over for another hour and hopefully freeze your taste buds!” Somehow I remember reading in my baby-care manuals that demand feeding should only last the first year. In return, I receive one cold, silent, unbelieving stare and the words, “I thought you cared”. All good things must come to an end. They have to go back to school where they can get three square meals a day. I don’t want to Lrww that their schedule suffers a swift reversal once there. I already suspect they are sleeping through breakfast and managing to skip lunch or dinner. Why else would they eat us out of house and home on vacation? Maybe that degree is going to take longer than I thought!

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